FVRA Committee Minutes June 2025

Findon Valley Residents' Association

Protecting the interests of our community and the countryside around us

www.fvra.org.uk

Tuesday 10th June: Findon Valley Free Church

In attendance

Lorraine Taylor (LT) Neil Worsfold (NW) Denise Edwards (DE) Terry Field (TF) Paul Stanley (PS) Chloe Paddock (CP)

Apologies

Matthew Ward (MW) Sean Philip (SP) Steve Rhodes (SR) Ruth Rhodes (RR) Paula Barnes (PB)

Minutes of last meeting

No matters arising.

Matters Arising from Officers Reports

·         From Highways Report

LT asked if SR could clarify if the “Donate a Tree Scheme” is different to the “Trees for Streets” scheme.

LT has handed over the A27 Archives to SR for collaboration with the High Salvington Residents Association for its preservation.

SR and LT awaiting meeting with Adam Beasley, WSCC Highways Officer.

Purchasing of High Visibility waistcoats and liaising with MW ongoing.

SR has joined the 20 is Plenty scheme as an individual. This will be added to next meeting’s agenda.

·         From History Report

Guest speaker, Peter Casebow from Salvington Mill took no fee so the donations taken from refreshments will be donated to the Mill trust.

Action Box 001

1.      Send donations taken from refreshments to High Salvington Mill Trust. (RR)

TF said that the head microphone was difficult for the guest speaker to use because he wore hearing aids. He suggested that a lapel microphone would be beneficial for every speaker to use. CP sourced details of lapel microphone costing around £25, it was agreed to purchase one.

TF stated that a new battery is required for the PA system. It was agreed to source one.

Action Box 002

1.      Purchase a lapel microphone. (TF)

2.      Purchase a new battery for PA system’ (TF NW PS)

From School Liaison Report

Summer Revels Saturday 14th June-Colin Edwards has offered to transport equipment to and from St. John’s School, Findon. SR to help. Meet at store at 9am.

The Vale Summer Fair Friday 11th July- set up from 3.30pm

We will be running a magnet making activity and presenting a display of historical photos of the valley.

·         From Webmaster Report

PS to send a photo of himself to SP for inclusion on website.

SP would like to put a promo video up on website of the FVRA committee’s work and role of members and asked for volunteers for this.

SP suggested joining the Findon Valley Community Group Facebook page as it had around 2000 members and would be a good way to connect with more people. Concerns were raised about managing complaints and negativity. This might require someone to monitor the group chat which could be time consuming.

·         From membership Report

We have had 6 new members, 2 from the targeted roads of Long Meadow and Shepherds Mead. Perhaps repeat this activity with other roads.

NW raised a concern about people cancelling the direct debit for membership renewal as it appears as ‘Charity Donation ‘on their bank statement. LT suggested sending an email to members reminding them about renewal and how this is shown. DE suggested flagging it on the newsletter.

Action Box 003

1.      Add reminder about how membership renewal is shown on bank statement to the newsletter. (DE)

2.      Email members about the upcoming membership renewal to remind them it is shown as “Charity Donation” on their bank statement. (NW)

Chairs Report

·         Angela Atkinson is to step back from FVRA for time being to focus on her recovery from her broken ankle. She will reconsider in March 2026 if post is still available.

·         PS to take on coordination of Community Garden and Allotment.  PS and LT attended a meeting with Lime Tree surgery to discuss using £10,000 of funding. LT suggested using a contractor to prepare the ground. She suggested approaching Geoff the gardener being involved.

After reading the article about FVRA in “Inside Cissbury, a resident approached FVRA     offering to use her connections with other green community groups to get involved with this project.

Feedback from Dog Show the Gallops Sunday 18th May

·         It was thought it ran better with FVRA acting as support rather than running a stall.

·         LT to arrange a debrief with Sheila from Umbrella Events.

·         It was better to have a larger more central arena with stalls around the outside.

·         62 entered the classes, raising £198.

·         Unfortunately, the police dogs were unable to attend, hopefully they will next year.

·         The choir were well received, maybe could perform in the lunch break next year.

·         In the young handler classes, it would be useful to see the dogs walking around the arena.

·         Maybe the entrance fee could include a dog treat for each dog.

Updating Noticeboards

·         TF and PS inspected all 6 noticeboards. Self-adhesive magnetic backing is to be added so that magnet fixings can be used. It will cost around £120 to renovate all boards.

Updating Audio Visual Equipment

TF thanked DE for donating a projector which is up and running. TF suggested that a new laptop would be useful for History Group when offsite. LT also said that a new laptop would be beneficial for the FVRA committee work. DE suggested getting a refurbished laptop from “Laptop Workshop” in Broadwater.  TF reported that the new headset was working well. It was agreed to buy a lapel microphone. (see previous minute from History group report)

AOB

·         Market Footfall- A discussion took place on how to improve market footfall as some traders from last market raised concerns about flags not being up on Findon Rd. The flags are put up, but might be up before traders arrive, so are not seen by them. PS is displaying banner on his fence on Findon Rd. LT suggested encouraging local charity stalls to attend.  A reduction in pitch fees was suggested, more advertising around the local area. DE said that footfall at Goring market is very good because it is on the high street but is still difficult to sell.

·         Action Boxes -SR suggested having sequential numbering of Action Boxes for easier tracking 001 to 999 then restarting process.

Action Box 004

1.Introduce sequential ordering of all Action Boxes starting at 001 to 999 in Minutes and Agendas for easier tracking/reference. (DE)

Date of next meeting

Tuesday 8th July 7pm FVFC

Please forward any AOB suggestions to chair by Friday 4th July for inclusion in this meeting. To ensure we finish promptly, some issues may be deferred to the next meeting.